Controversial OpenAI, which has a public valuation of $1.3 trillion and its bid to be a nonprofit ignited a court fight, is offering $50 million in innovation grants to nonprofits via the The People-First AI Fund.
The deadline to file for one of the grants is coming up quickly, Wednesday Oct. 8. Grants will be unrestricted to support the expertise of nonprofit and community-based organizations. The application window will close at 11:00 p.m. (PT). Applicants do not need to be currently using AI tools to be eligible.
Interested organizations can access the grant portal here.
OpenAI is seeking applications from organizations at every stage of AI adoption — from exploration to pilots and active deployment, recognizing that some of the most impactful opportunities might be new initiatives, approaches not yet been widely proven, or come from unexpected places.
The People-First AI Fund will support organizations directly working in three areas:
* AI literacy & public understanding: These are organizations that help communities build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate the age of artificial intelligence. This includes education programs, media initiatives, and opportunities for people to engage with and better understand the technology. OpenAI is particularly interested in efforts that equip people with practical skills. This might involve training local leaders — such as educators, faith leaders, youth mentors, or artists — to make discussions about AI more accessible and relevant.
* Community innovation: These are organizations that work in partnership with communities to guide how AI might be shaped and used in their lives. The priority is to back efforts where communities lead participatory design and decision-making to ensure AI strengthens civic life and helps people stay healthy, connected, and thriving. This includes initiatives that use AI to expand access to and improve delivery of essential services, as well as community co-designed approaches in areas such as health, mental well-being, and building community trust.
Priority consideration will be given to organizations working in place-based settings such as schools, libraries, clinics, or community centers; applicants that actively involve residents — including youth — in the design of initiatives; and efforts serving populations traditionally left out of digital innovation, such as older adults, rural communities, or linguistically isolated groups.
* Economic opportunity: These are organizations expanding access to meaningful work in ways that are fair, inclusive, and community-driven by leveraging the promise of AI. This could include programs that prepare people — especially young people — for the jobs of the future; tools that support caregivers and local businesses; and, initiatives that help workers build economic security.
OpenAI is seeking models of shared value — such as cooperatives or community-based platforms — that respect local culture and center worker needs. Across all efforts, we will prioritize approaches that enhance, rather than replace, human work and ensure the benefits of AI are broadly distributed instead of concentrated among the few.
The People-First AI Fund is intended for U.S.-based nonprofits with valid 501(c)(3) status. Organizations can only apply once. Specific requirements include:
* Organizations must be a U.S.-based public charity with a valid 501(c)(3) status, and in compliance with 501(c)(3) requirements.
* Organization must be located in, and primarily conducting work within, the 50 U.S. states or District of Columbia.
* OpenAI will primarily consider organizations with an annual operating budget greater than $500,000. All organizations must have an annual operating budget of less than $10 million.
* Applicants do not have to have previous AI experience.
* Not to be consider are organizations that will use these resources for regranting purposes nor fiscally sponsored projects. That means applications from programs, centers, or departments housed within larger institutions, even if they maintain separate operating budgets of less than $10 million. Additionally, all proposed work must be U.S.-focused. We recognize that many organizations doing important work may fall outside of these criteria, and we look forward to sharing future opportunities for them to engage.
If you have questions on the application process, email to peoplefirstfund@openai.com
